Separable hinge

ABSTRACT

1,006,520. Hinges. SPERRY RAND CORPORATION. Sept. 20, 1963 [Oct. 1, 1962], No. 37149/63. Heading E2F. A separable hinge, particularly for carrying cases, comprises a first part 25 with a pintle 37 attached to a case base 13 and a second part 45 attached to a case cover 17 having a pintle bearing slot 53, the part 45 incorporating a spring-loaded latch plate 77 such that the said plate prevents disengagement of the pintle from its slot unless the latch plate is urged back against the pressure of the spring 91. A tongue 51 of the second part, formed with a U-shaped bearing slot 53 locates within a recess 35 formed by two pintle-carrying side arms 31, 33 of the first part and is pivoted therein by the pintle/slot engagement. An H-shaped channel 61 is formed in the upper-surface 63 of the second part in which a co-operating H-shaped latch plate 77 is slidably mounted between the second part and the case cover. A dependant lip 87 of the forward latch plate leg 79 prevents pintle release since the latch plate is forwardly biased by the action of a leaf spring 91 against the rearward latch plate leg 81. Disengagement of the two parts may be achieved by urging the plate back against the spring pressure and engagement may be achieved by forcing the pintle against the dependant lip cam surface 85 until access to the slot 53 is achieved.

Sept. 14, 1965 A. E. AMOS 3,205,531

SEPARABLE HINGE Filed Oct. 1, 1962 u f/'. Z

INVENTOR. 41 r'XED E. AMOS ATTOKA/f) United States Patent 3,205,531 SEPARABLE HINGE Alfred E. Amos, Fairtield, Qonn, assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 1, H62, Ser. No. 227,508 9 laims. (Cl. 16-172) This invention relates to separable hinges and more particularly to a separable hinge for a container having separable sections.

The present invention finds ready application to carrying cases utilized for the protection and/or carrying of business machines or the like, wherein the carrying case comprises base and cover sections which are hinged together and in which one section may be physically separated from the other section.

Mechanisms are usually provided for securing the business machine in place within the carrying case to prevent movement of and damage to the business machine when carried. Although the securing mechanism often is constructed to permit removal of the business machine and subsequent use of the case as a carrying case of general utility, the business machine operator quite often desires to remove the cover section of the carrying case and operate the business machine while secured to the base section. The sections of the carrying case must therefore be easily separable.

Separation of the carrying case is often accomplished by providing same with two part separable hinges one part being carried by the cover section of the carrying case and the other part being carried by the base section of the carrying case. A case latch structure provided on the carrying case, and the parts of the separable hinges, coact to secure the cover section of the carrying case to the base section thereof. Such separable hinges usually are not constructed with a latch structure to prevent inadvertent separation of the hinge parts. Opening of the carrying case latch when the carrying case is being carried may result in separation of the cover section from the base section of the carrying case and damage to the contents thereof. To prevent such inadvertent separation of the parts of the hinges and carrying case, latching mechanisms have been incorporated into the separable hinge structures which include mounting and guide means protruding into and out of the carrying case. However, the protruding mounting and guide means are undesirable inasmuch as it presents snagging problems to the user or the contents of the case.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel separable hinge.

Another object is to provide a novel separable hinge with a separation preventing movable latch.

Another object is to provide a novel separable hinge with a separation preventing movable latch constructed without protruding or exposed mounting and guide structure.

Still another object is to provide a novel separable hinge, for hingedly interconnecting two members, having a separation preventing movable latch mounted between and guided for movement by the hinge and the member upon which the hinge is mounted.

A still further object is to provide a novel separable hinge with a separation preventing movable latch for a carrying case for a business machine or the like, wherein said separation preventing movable latch is positioned 3,205,531 Patented Sept. 14, 1965 ice between and guided for movement by said hinge and the portion of the carrying case upon which the hinge is mounted and in which said latch construction obviates the necessity for guide and mounting members which protrude into or out of the carrying case.

The present invention provides a two part separable hinge wherein one part is fastened to one section of a container and the other part is fastened to a second section of the container. The hinge comprises complementary elements which provide for pivotal movement of the container sections with respect to each other to effect movement of the container parts to opened or closed positions. The hinge includes a latch member in one part thereof which prevents inadvertent separation of the hinge and requires actuation by a user to effect separation thereof. The latch member is arranged for sliding movement within the one part of the hinge and is adapted for engagement by the other part of the hinge to effect connection of the two parts of the hinge and thereby the two sections of the container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention in its details of construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a hinge mechanism, which embodies the present invention, assembled t a carrying case (partially shown), showing the carrying case partly opened;

P16. 2 is a plan view of the hinge mechanism disassociated from the carrying case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the hinge mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2 assembled to a closed carrying case (partially shown); and

MG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the hinge mechanism assembled to a carrying case, showing the hinge and carrying case portions separated one from the other.

Referring now to the drawing for a more detailed description of the present invention, an embodiment thereof is shown utilized on a carrying case, generally designated by the numeral 11 (FIG. 1), in which a business machine or the like, such as a portable typewriter may be placed, the carrying case serving as a means to transport the typewriter or to provide a protective cover therefor. It should be understood however, that the hereinafter described application of the invention to a carrying case for business machines, or the like, is for purposes of illustration only inasmuch as the subject invention finds ready application on any structure wherein two members are hingedly connected together and wherein the two members are required to be separated one from the other under certain conditions of use.

Carrying case I11 comprises a base 18, open at an end 15, and a cover 17, open at an end 19, constructed in a well known manner with end 15 of base 13 interfitting within end 1 9 of cover 17 to form therewith a closed box-like structure which constitutes carrying case 1 1. One portion of carrying case 1 1 usually base 13 is fitted with latching mechanism (not shown) for securing the business machine in place within carrying case 11. Since this invention is not concerned with the article or articles to be placed within carrying case 11, illustration and description of a securing mechanism therefor is believed unnecessary and has therefore been omitted.

A first hinge part 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to base 13, along a back surface 27 thereof, by appropriate securing means as for example rivets 29. A pair of spaced arms 31 and 3-3 (FIG. 2) formed on first hinge part 25, define therebetween a substantially U shaped recess 35. A pintle or hinge pin 37, sp-aning recess 35, has opposite ends thereof disposed within and carried by spaced arms 31 and 33 (FIGS. 2 and 4) of first hinge part i25.

A second hinge part 45 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to cover 17 along a back surface 47 thereof by appropriate securing means as for example rivets 49. A tongue 51 (FIGS. 2 and 4) formed on second hinge part 45 has a configuration and size slightly smaller than that of recess 35, of first hinge part 25, providing tongue 51 with a close but easily removable fit within recess 35 between spaced arms 31-and 33. A hearing slot 53 (FIG. 4) of substantially U shaped configuration, formed in tongue 51, accommodates hinge pin 37 which is inserted in bearing slot 53 through an open end 55 in the upper portion thereof.

An open channel 61 (FIGS; 2 and 3) is formed in a surface 63 of second hinge part 45. Two abutments 6'5 and 67 (FIG. 2) formed in surface 63 of second hinge part 45 extend into channel 61 dividing same into a wide mouth area 69, a narrow intermediate area 71 and a wide interior area 73.

A substantially H shaped latch plate 77 (FIG. 2) having parallel legs 79 and 81 and a transversely extending arm 83 is disposed for lateral sliding movement in channel 61. A cam surface 85 (FIG. 3) terminating in a depending lip 87 is formed on leg 79 of latch plate 77.

Prior to assembling second hinge part 45 to cover 17, latch plate 77 is placed in channel 61 so that leg 81 of latch plate 77 is positioned in interior area 73 of channel 61, arm 83 of latch plate 77 is positioned in intermediate area 71 of channel 61, and leg 79 of latch plate 77 is positioned in mouth area 69 of channel 61 with lip 87 thereof pointing towards tongue 51. A lea-f type spring 91 is also positioned in interior area 73 of channel 61 between an extreme inner wall 93 thereof and leg 81 of latch plate 77 to urge latch plate 77 to the left as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. With latch plate 77 and spring 91 in place second hinge body 45 is attached to cover 17 by rivets 49. When so assembled back surface 47 of cover 17 forms a top or cover for channel 61 to confine latch plate 77 and spring 91 therein. Latch plate 77 has a configuration and size permitting a close but sliding fit in channel 61. The close proximity of cover 17, second hinge part 45, and the walls of channel 61 to the adjacent surfaces of latch plate 77 allow easy sliding movement of latch plate 77 in channel 61 while at the same time providing an accurate guide therefor. Spring 91 urges latch plate 77 to the left (FIGS. -2 and 3), until 'leg 81 of latch plate 77 engages abutments 65 and '67 formed in surface 63 of second hinge body 45, to position lip 87 of latch plate 77 over open end 55 of bearing slot 53 and obstruct removal of binge pin 37 when positioned therein (FIG. 3).

Depending upon the use intended for carrying case 11 one or more sets of hinge parts and 45 with associated structure may be arranged along the back surfaces 27 and 47 of base 13 and cover 17 respectively. For most uses two such sets have been found adequate.

A projecting foot 95 is formed on first hinge part 25 and a projecting foot 97 is formed \on second hinge part 47 to provide a support for carrying case 11 when the latter stands upright on a fiat surface in the position shown in FIG. 1.

Carrying case latching means (not shown) of well known construction are usually provided for preventing inadvertent separation of cover 17 from base 13 when in case closed position. A handle may also be provided on carrying case -'11 to facilitate carrying thereof from place to place.

.Separation' of cover 17 from base 13 is facilitated by placing carrying case 11 upon a support, such as a table, withan outer surface 98 of base 13 in contact with the surface of the table. The latch (not shown) which is opened and cover '17 pivoted about hinge pins 37 separating end 19 of cover 17 from its interfitting relationship with end 15 of base 13. When carrying case 11 is opened pressure is applied by the user against latch plates 77 to move the latter against the bias of their respective springs 91 until depending lips 87 of latch plates 77 move from their positions obstructing open ends '55 of bearing slots 53 (FIG. 3) to their positions away from open ends 55 of bearing slots 53 (FIG. 4). Tongues 51 are removed from hinge pins 37 and cover '17 separated from base 13. Springs 91 reposition latch plates 77 against abutments 65 and 67 upon release of the pressure which was applied to latch plates 77 to effect sliding movement thereof to .permit separation of hinge parts 25 and 45.

To reconnect cover -17 to base 13 cam surfaces are bnought into contact with their respective hinge pins 37 and pressure is applied there against'm-oving latch plates 77 against the bias of their springs -9 1. When depending lips 87 of latch plates 77 have cleared open ends 55 of bearing slots 53, tongues 51 move into position in recesses 35, hinge pins 37 seat in bearing slots 53, and the pressure against latch plates 77 is relieved. Springs 91 return latch plates 77 to the position with depending lips 87 again obstructing open ends 55 of bearing slots 53 (FIG. 3) preventing separation of tongues 51 and binge pins .37.

When a business machine is positioned in carrying case 11, it usually is latched or otherwise set into base 13 and covered with cover 17. For other uses it may be more advantageous to set carrying case 11 upon a support such as a table with an outer surface 100 of cover 17 in contact with the surface of the table. The latch is unlocked and base 13 pivoted rotating hinge pins 37 in bearing slots 53. Pressure is applied against latch plates 77 to move same against the bias of their respective springs 91 and until depending lips 87 formed thereon clear open ends 55 of bearing slots 53. Hinge pins 37 are removed from bearing slots 55 and base 13 is separated from cover 17 al-' lowing springs 91 to reposition latch plates 77 with lips 87 obstructing open ends 55 of bearing slots 53. To reconnect base 13 and cover 17 hinge pins 37 are brought into contact with cam surfaces 85 of latch plates 77 and pressure is applied to move latch plates 77 and seat hinge pins 37 in bearing slots 53. Seating of hinge pins '37 relieves the pressure permitting springs'91 to reposition latch plates 77 with depending lips 87 thereof obstructing removal of binge pins 37 from bearing slots 53.

It is understood that although Ihave shown the preferred form of my invention, that various modifications may be made. in the details thereof without departing from its spirit as comprehended by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A separable hinge for pivotally interconnecting detachable members of a container: comprising (a) a hinge part secured to each of the members;

(b) one of said hinge parts having a pintle receiving and bearing surface;

(0) the other of said hinge parts having a pintle for accommodation within said pintle receiving and bearing surface to provide for connection of said hinge parts and pivotal movement of said other hinge part with respect to said one hinge part;

(d) therebeing a channel formed in a surface of said one hinge part and disposed in juxtaposition to said member to which said one hinge part is secured;

(e) alatch member in said channel movable to one position to restrain movement of said pintle away from said pintle receiving and bearing surface and movable to a second position to allow movement of said pintle away from said pintle receiving and bearing surface and disconnection of said hinge parts; and (f) spring means biasing said latch member to said one position, said hinge parts being formed and positioned on the detachable members in such a manner;

tachable members of a container: comprising (a) a hinge part secured to each of the members;

(b) one of said hinge parts having a pintle receiving and bearing surface;

(c) the other of said hinge parts having a pintle for accommodation within said pintle receiving and hearing surface to provide for connection of said hinge parts and pivotal movement of said other hinge part with respect to said one hinge part;

(d) said one hinge part having a recess in the surface thereof adjacent the associated member to define therebetween a channel;

(e) a latch member in said channel movable to one position to restrain movement of said pintle away from said pintle receiving and bearing surface and movable to a second position to allow movement of said pintle away from said pintle receiving and bearing surface and disconnection of said hinge parts; and

(f) spring means biasing said latch member to said one position, said hinge parts being formed and positioned on the detachable members in such a manner as to protect the latch member form inadvertent release thereof when the container is in a closed position.

3. A portable container: comprising (a) a base section;

(b) a cover section interfitting with said base section to form a box like enclosure therewith;

(c) a first hinge part attached to one of said sections;

((1) a hinge pin carried by said first hinge part;

(e) a second hinge part attached to the other of said sections;

(f) a bearing surface formed in said second hinge part for accommodating said hinge pin to pivotally associate said first and said second hinge parts and thereby said base and cover sections;

(g) there being an access opening formed in said second hinge part permitting movement of said hinge pin into and out of association with said bearing surface;

(h) movable latch means disposed between said second hinge part and said other of said sections;

(i) guide means formed in the surface of said second hinge part and disposed adjacent said other of said sections for coaction with said movable latch means to guide said latch means for movement between a position obstructing said access opening to prevent movement of said hinge pin out of association with said bearing surface and a position removed from said access opening to allow movement of said hinge pin out of association with said bearing surface; and

(j) spring means disposed between said second hinge part and said other of said sections for coaction with said movable latch means to urge said movable latch means to said position obstructing said access opening, said hinge parts being formed and positioned on said base and cover sections in such a manner as to protect the latch means from inadvertent release thereof when the container is in a closed position.

4. The portable container of claim 3: wherein (a) said guide means comprises a substantially H shaped channel formed in the surface of said second hinge part disposed adjacent said other of said sections; and

(b) .said movable latch means comprises a substantially H shaped plate of a size and configuration allowing for a close movable fit within said guide means.

5. The portable container of claim 4, including a cam surface formed on said substantially H shaped plate for coaction with said hinge pin to effect movement of said latch means to said position removed from said access opening when pressure is applied through said hinge pin and against said cam surface.

6. A carrying case for a business machine or the like having interfitting base and cover sections forming a box like enclosure with hinge means interconnecting the base and cover sections for pivotal movement one with respect to the other, said hinge means: comprising (a) a base hinge member attached to the base section of the carrying case;

(b) spaced arms formed on said base hinge member defining therebetween a recess;

(c) a hinge pin carried by said spaced arms and spanning said recess;

(d) a cover hinge member attached to the cover section of the carrying case;

(e) a tongue, formed on said cover hinge member,

adapted for disposition within said recess;

(f) there being a bearing slot formed in said tongue to accommodate said hinge pin when said tongue is disposed in said recess;

(g) latch means disposed between said cover section and said cover hinge member for movement between a position preventing removal of said hinge pin from said bearing slot and a position permitting removal of said hinge pin from said bearing slot;

(h) guide means formed in a surface of said cover hinge member disposed adjacent said cover section for guiding said latch means during movement thereof; and

(i) spring means disposed between said cover section and said cover hinge member urging said latch means to said position preventing removal of said hinge pin from said bearing slot, said hinge parts being formed and positioned on said base and cover sections in such a manner as to protect the latch means from inadvertent release thereof when the container is in a closed position.

7. The carrying case of claim 6; wherein (a) said guide means comprises a channel formed in the surface of said cover hinge member adjacent said cover section;

(b) said latch means comprises a plate like member disposed in said channel for movement between a position wherein a portion of said plate like member obstructs the hinge pin to prevent removal thereof from said bearing slot and a position where said portion of said plate like member is removed from said hinge pin permitting removal of said hinge pin from said bearing slot;

(c) the surfaces of said channel and the surface of said cover section adjacent said plate like member coacting with said plate like member to guide same for movement in said channel.

8. The carrying case of claim 7 including (a) abutments formed in said channel;

(b) abutments formed on said plate like member coacting with the said abutments formed in said channel to prevent extraction of said plate like member from said channel and to determine the extents of movement of said plate like member in said channel.

9. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein (a) said channel and said plate like member are both substantially H shaped;

(b) one leg of said H shaped plate like member having a cam surface formed thereon terminating in a lip;

(c) said spring means coacting with said plate like member to position said lip near said bearing slot to obstruct removal of said hinge pin when positioned therein;

7 8 (d) said hinge pin, when removed from said bearing References Cited by the Examiner slot, coating with said cam surface upon appliea: UNITED STATES PATENTS tion of pressure against'said cam surface and through said hinge pin to move said H shaped plate like gz ii "55"" member againstithe bias of said spring allowing said 5 505480 9/93 Fletcher ",7 16 147 hinge pin-to move into said bearing slot; 2 10/38 Harmon (e) said spring upon movement of said'hinge pin into: 2:974:354 3/61 Matuzas 175 said bearing slot repositioning said H shaped plate like member with said lip near said bearing slot to JOSEPH SEERS, Przmary Exammer. obstruct removal of said hinge pin therefrom. 10 DONLEY I. STOCKING, Examiner. 

1. A SEPARABLE HINGE FOR PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTING DETACHABLE MEMBERS OF A CONTAINER: COMPRISING (A) A HINGE PART SECURED TO EACH OF THE ONE MEMBERS; (B) ONE OF SAID HINGE PARTS HAVING A PINTLE RECEIVING AND BEARING SURFACE; (C) THE OTHER OF SAID HINGE PARTS HAVING A PINTLE FOR ACCOMMODATION WITHIN SAID PINTLE RECEIVING AND BEARING SURFACE TO PROVIDE FOR CONNECTION OF SAID HINGE PARTS AND PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID OTHER HINGE PART WITH RESPECT TO SAID ONE HINGE PART; (D) THERE BEING A CHANNEL FORMED IN A SURFACE OF SAID ONE HINGE PART DISPOSED IN JUXTAPOSTION TO SAID MEMBER TO WHICH SAID ONE HINGE PART IS SECURED; 